Revolutionary ideas were born here.

The Old State House is the oldest and most important public building in American history prior to the Revolution,where John Adams insisted, “Independence was born.” Step back in time at this must-see destination on the Freedom Trail!

Welcome to the Old State House

The most important building in American historybefore the Revolution!

Discover why the Revolution began here, with people and events that changed the world forever. Hear from famous revolutionaries like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and John Adams, who debated basic ideas about self-government that we all believe today. Experience the true stories of ordinary people, whose lives were turned upside-down by revolutionary events and ideas. Explore the site of the Boston Massacre, where five men lost their lives. Relive the moment in July 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Boston. Learn important things you never knew - things that are still important today.

This post is part of a series exploring the legacy of Crispus Attucks, the first victim of the Boston Massacre. These posts were written by students in the Master of Public History program at Northeastern University. Crispus Attucks was an enslaved man of African and Native American heritage about whom little is known, but his legacy has been important to successive generations of Americans. For more information about the life and legacy of Crispus Attucks, see First Martyr of Liberty: Crispus Attucks in American Memory by Mitch Kachun (Oxford University Press, 2017).

This post is part of a series exploring the legacy of Crispus Attucks, the first victim of the Boston Massacre. These posts were written by students in the Master of Public History program at Northeastern University. Crispus Attucks was an enslaved man of African and Native American heritage about whom little is known, but his legacy has been important to successive generations of Americans

This post is part of a series exploring the legacy of Crispus Attucks, the first victim of the Boston Massacre. These posts were written by students in the Master of Public History program at Northeastern University. Crispus Attucks was an enslaved man of African and Native American heritage about whom little is known, but his legacy has been important to successive generations of Americans

After more than 68 hours of research, patterning, cutting, and sewing, the replica of John Hancock’s velvet coat is finished and has been installed in the exhibit on the first floor of the Old State House.

As part of the process of launching a new Revolutionary Character, a large amount of detailed research is conducted. In this post, Education Associate Robin Donovan highlights a question about the life of Mercy Otis Warren to which we may never find an answer.

From a famous family of revolutionary firebrands, Mercy Otis Warren made her own mark on history with her pen. Education Associate Robin Donovan explores her story in preparation for Revolutionary Characters Live!

When most people think of John Hancock, the image of his famous signature on the Declaration of Independence comes to mind. Many people know very little about his exact participation in the American Revolution and the details of his life

Faneuil Hall is closing its doors for maintenance this winter. As stewards of the Old State House, we at the Bostonian Society are well aware that the preservation of Boston’s historic buildings requires constant effort. Faneuil Hall’s current closure gave us the chance to explore previous renovations to the building and take a closer look at three lottery tickets in our archives linked to a 1760s renovation.

The Bostonian Society recently received the generous donation of two etchings which present fictitious or imagined views of 1770's Boston. These etchings were done in 1778 in Augsburg by Franz Xaver Habermann, also known as Francois Xavier Habermann, an artist who never visited Boston or in fact got any closer to it than Italy. His images are obviously heavily influenced by the street scenes he saw around him and don't resemble the buildings that actually stood in Boston at the time.

Whenever something goes missing or falls off the wall or shelf in the Old State House, the staff like to blame it on the ghost of James Otis, Jr. In honor of Halloween and our favorite ghost story, we'd like to share the life story of James Otis Jr., before he became a spectral troublemaker.

Visitors to the second floor Hands on History rooms at the Old State House will find a new display among the timelines and reproduction clock. Our Hands on History Board is all about colonial food this fall, and we’d like to share a “taste” of this history with our blog readers.

Last week, Master Tailor and Costume Historian Henry Cooke returned to the Old State House to take a pattern from a pair of buff-colored silk breeches which once belonged to John Hancock. This is part of an on-going project by the museum to preserve these important garments for future generations.

A new case has been installed in the second floor rotunda of the Old State House, focusing on drinking, at home and on the town, in 18th century Boston. Here, Collections Intern Leigh explores one of the objects in greater detail.

In honor of Archives Month, and in her final post as the Society's Library and Archives Manager, Elizabeth Roscio highlights her favorite archival item and looks back on unexpected events in the archives!

The Old State House is currently covered in scaffolding and green scrim. In this post, go behind-the-scenes with our Director of Facilities and Historic Preservation to learn more about the work that is going on to restore the south facade of our building.

A recently conserved fan prompted research into the woman who owned it. In this post, learn about the story of Agnes Surriage and Sir Charles Henry Frankland and decide if you think if it counts as an 18th century love story or not!

In order preserve John Hancock's clothing, we are currently in the process of having replicas made. These replicas will allow us to return the originals to dark storage and therefore preserve them for future generations. Earlier this week, Master Tailor and Clothing Historian Henry Cooke was in the galleries, studying the original coat and waistcoat in order to begin the process of faithfully replicating them.